3 Words for 2021: Intentional, Balance, Joy
We made it! Happy 2021, friends.
2020 was a year of highs, lows, and enjoying the little moments in between.
2020 was the year where I learned to stop hurrying by, to take my time, to rest, to look up and enjoy what I have instead of waiting for the next thing.
When I look back at 2020, there will be many many things to remember. COVID, quarantine, racial injustice, political unrest, our church fire.
But there will also be moments of pure joy that I’ll remember too. Getting Lucy, buying our house, starting new jobs, celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary, reading 65 books when my goal was 50.
If you haven’t checked it out yet, you can watch my 2020 one-second everyday challenge here.
2021.
Going into 2021, I don’t want to forget the lessons I learned in 2020. I don’t want to say “new year, new me” and forget all the lessons and moments we experienced. Instead, I want to build upon them to really embrace who I am because of 2020.
I’m anxious and excited to see what God has in store for 2021. At the end of the day, He is still sovereign. He is still loving. He is still the God of the universe and whatever happens, it is well.
As I brainstormed what my 3 words of 2021 would be, three words immediately came to mind: Intentional, Balance, and Joy.
Intentional.
If 2020 taught me anything, it’s to be more intentional.
Intentional in my relationships, my friendships, my marriage.
Intentional when I’m talking, intentional when I’m listening, intentional how I spend my time.
Intentional when I’m sipping coffee or writing a card or text.
Instead of rushing through life, I want to live each day with intention.
Balance.
I don’t mean physical balance like learning to walk across a balance beam or stand on one foot for hours.
I mean:
Balance between when I work and when I don’t.
Balance for when I scroll on my phone and when I put it down.
Balance when I indulge and when I don’t.
Balance between when I go-go-go and when I rest.
Balance between thinking about the future and enjoying the here and now.
I’m reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 where it reminds us that there is a time for everything, and in 2021, I want to be intentional about how I balance it all.
Joy.
It’s a reoccurring theme on Coffee With Keri if you’ve been here for a bit. I talk a lot about embracing the little joys, finding the little joys, living in joy.
When you think of 2020, you don’t think of the word “Joy.” But there were moments of it that I don’t want to forget and there will be moments of joy in 2021 that I don’t want to miss.
I’m reminded of James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” — NIV translation.
No matter what 2021 brings, I’m eager to see what God has in store for this year and what will happen in and through our lives.
“And through it all, through it all / My eyes are on You / And through it all, through it all / It is well with my soul” — It Is Well by Bethel Music